But if ever an issue called for some creative formulaic solution, probably with an international ingredient, to save Syrian honour while calming Israel's fears about its water, this was it.

ECONOMIST: After Assad

"It's going to be the dominant issue, " says Tim Bajarin of Creative Strategies, a consultancy.

FORBES: Sony, Matsushita Team Up On Linux

How to stay creative while your firm is ballooning through consolidation is a pressing issue for pharmaceutical executives.

ECONOMIST: Devices and desires